Organizers for the Larry H. Miller Tour of Utah professional cycling event announced Wednesday that this year's event will include several cities and venues in southern Utah. Of the 10 host venues unveiled Wednesday, seven are first-time venues for the world-class, six-stage professional cycling race and community festival.

CEDAR CITY — Organizers for the Larry H. Miller Tour of Utah professional cycling event announced Tuesday that this year's event will include several cities and venues in southern Utah. Of the 10 host venues unveiled Wednesday, seven are first-time venues for the world-class, six-stage professional cycling race and community festival.

This year's event will begin Monday, Aug. 5 with opening festivities in Cedar City, and continue across the state for six days of racing.

The Larry H. Miller Tour of Utah continues for a third consecutive year as one of the top professional cycling events in North America, a 2.1-rated stage race sanctioned by the UCI (Union Cycliste Internationale). Last year seven of the 17 teams competed earlier in the year at the Tour de France.

Spanning almost the entire length of the state, the Tour of Utah will begin in southern red rock country near Bryce Canyon National Park and will finish among the alpine peaks of the Wasatch Front in northern Utah. The week of competition will include five road races and one circuit race. Detailed routes and race mileage will be announced in the coming

months.

"We've always had our eye on expanding the Tour to the southern part of the state, and with great fan, sponsor and community support, we've been able to do that," said Steve Miller, president of the Tour of Utah, and newly named COO of

Miller Sports Properties. "Our fan base provided solid crowds every day last year, and we attracted widespread audiences watching the race live on FOX Sports Network and on the web with TourTracker. The Tour of Utah generated $14 million

in direct economic impact for the state in 2012 and our race expansion is expected to have an even greater impact. From Cedar City to Park City, we appreciate the support of all our 2013 host cities and look forward to the

biggest year yet."

"We are excited to see the continued growth of the Tour of Utah that will now expand into the southern part of the state," said Jeff Robbins, president & CEO of the Utah Sports Commission. "The event generates significant economic impact for the state and will now be able to showcase Utah's red rock scenery along with the beauty of the northern part of our great state."